Volbeat Cancel, Promoter devastated…

I normally avoid detailed explanations regarding the business. That is a positive in terms of professionalism, yet a negative in terms of dealing directly with the fans. This is one time where I believe the fans deserve the behind the scenes story.

Due to Volbeat having no North American representation back in August of last year, I contacted the band directly through a mutual friend. I was instructed to contact their Scandinavian booking agent at the time to begin negotiations. I sent several email to that person and received zero response. I notified the band that of the current problem. I was referred to their record label, Mascot Records. I explained the situation to them and received a very enthusiastic response. They asked for the terms of the offer and I gave it to them. They proceeded to tell me they would talk to the band and be back in touch.

I contacted the label representative at the beginning of September and explained that I needed a decision. I wanted to do a video announcement at the festival this year and needed time to put it together. The label confirmed the band and proceeded to tell me they planned on having Volbeat do additional dates in the U.S. around the festival. They thought it would be perfect considering the timing of the new release. Done deal. I still have that specific email on file.

I then received an email from the label after the first of the year stating they were “not sure” if the band could perform. I was obviously upset and showed him the exact email with the confirmation. Why would I have spent four months promoting the band if I did not have a confirmation? He then proceeded to say that I needed to speak with the band’s European booking agent that had taken over all booking aspects (they evidently had fired the Scandinavian booker). I contacted him with proof of the confirmation from the label. Both he and the band stated they were never notified of the confirmation of the show. I asked how that was possible considering I had been promoting the band since September. I told them that I had already given them more promotion in North America in four months than the band had ever received. I was then told the band was not sure of their schedule because of the growing demand for the band and the schedule around the new release. The would work to make it happen though (and I trust their Euro booking agent 100% as he is a good friend of mine).

No word for a few weeks.

At the first of March, I asked their booking agent if I should cancel them then. I did not want to put tickets on sale with their name of the roster if they knew they were going to pull out. I was assured they were going to do everything possible to keep the date. What could I do? I had a deal in place. I had already promoted the band for four months. There was still seven months before the show. That should be more than enough advance notice to leave my date alone and schedule around me. It was only one weekend. I had to wait it out.

I sent a few more emails and was told that a U.S.booking agent was coming over to scout them and potentially build a tour around the festival. Everything was looking like it was falling into place.

It was not.

Volbeat will be heading out on a European tour the same weekend as ProgPower USA. They have apologized for the cancellation of the show they “never confirmed.” They have said they will issue a statement if I wanted them to. I told them it didn’t matter. I was going to tell the truth.

The bottom line is that I got fucked over for doing exactly as I was told to do.

I am more upset with this cancellation than I have ever been in my history as a festival promoter. Volbeat was the number one band I was looking forward to seeing this year. I know that many fans were just as excited as I was. I deeply apologize about the situation. This business sucks sometimes.

As for my plans, give me a few days. I could replace a power metal band with a power metal band. I could replace a progressive metal band with a progressive metal band. Hell, I could replace a growler with a growler. What I cannot do is replace Volbeat with anything remotely close to what they are.